Conley checks on a pie in the oven while a spinach and roasted fennel pizza rests on the counter at Gather. Conley will compete in the Oct. 25 Top of the Crop competition, along with Kerry Altiero of Cafe Miranda in Rockland, Richard Hanson of Cleonice Mediter-ranean Bistro in Ellsworth, and David Levi, who will open a restaurant called Vinland in Portland in November.